According to a study entitled, “Exposures to transit and other sources of noise among New York City residents,” published in Environmental Science & Technology in 2012, more than eight of every 10 New Yorkers are exposed to enough noise to damage their hearing.
Below we cover how living in a big city can contribute to hearing loss and tips that will help you preserve and protect your hearing.
How Loud Sounds Cause Damage
The inner ear contains the cochlea, which is lined with tiny hair cells called stereocilia. The stereocilia’s job is to convert incoming soundwaves into electrical energy that travels via the auditory nerve to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
When dangerously loud sounds pass through the ears, it can damage or destroy the stereocilia. Once damaged, the stereocilia do not regenerate. The result is permanent sensorineural hearing loss.
Any sound over 85 dB can cause damage with enough exposure. For reference, that is about the volume of passing highway traffic.
Loud City Sounds
Some loud city sounds that contribute to hearing loss include:
- Traffic
- Public transportation
- Construction
- Busy restaurants/cafés
- Sporting events
- Concerts
But one of the biggest contributors to noise-induced hearing loss may not be the sounds of the city, but what you use to drown it out. That’s right – music, podcasts and audiobooks played through headphones or earbuds at a loud volume can also cause hearing loss.
Tips for Protecting Your Hearing
Try these tips for protecting your hearing against loud noises:
- Avoid walking by construction sites, sports arenas and busy roads whenever possible.
- Try not to live in noisy places, like near an airport or train station.
- When getting work done, opt for a quiet venue like Charleston County Public Library rather than a bustling coffee shop.
- Wear hearing protection when attending a sporting event or concert. Musician’s earplugs allow safe sounds through clearly and dampen dangerously loud sounds without sacrificing sound quality.
- Practice safe listening by following the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% of your device’s maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.